Former Rocket Woodson hopes to return as coach

Woodson meets with RocketsFormer Hawks coach once played here and still has home in Katy

JONATHAN FEIGEN, Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle

Published 5:30 am, Friday, April 29, 2011

Photo: John Bazemore, AP

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Mike Woodson played three seasons with the Rockets in his 11-year NBA career and coached the Hawks to three consecutive playoff appearances.

Mike Woodson played three seasons with the Rockets in his 11-year NBA career and coached the Hawks to three consecutive playoff appearances.

Photo: John Bazemore, AP

Former Rocket Woodson hopes to return as coach

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When Mike Woodson, who interviewed for the Rockets' vacant head coaching position on Thursday, led the Atlanta Hawks to improved records for five consecutive seasons, he started the run after a 13-win season.

With the Rockets, he would be taking over a team that won 43 games. The plan, however, has not changed.

"You'd like to think we could do that again," Woodson said. "I would not be coming in to do any different. You just work and keep working to get better."

Woodson's six seasons with the Hawks ended after three consecutive playoff seasons, the last two with first-round series wins.

Woodson, who played three seasons with the Rockets late in his 11-year NBA career and kept his home in Katy, had a 206-286 record in six seasons with the Hawks before sitting out last season.

"You would like to think that would have some value to it," Woodson said of his head coaching experience. "I'm sure all the other guys have their qualities as well. The fact that I was able to take a team from scratch and build it speaks volumes. It was a good six-year run for me. Hopefully I'll have another opportunity.

"I thought it went well. It was a long interview, which I expected. They gave me an opportunity to know the general manager, Daryl Morey, and his staff and for them to get to know me. I thought it was very productive."